AFL legend Lance Franklin says he would be happy to take a call from troubled Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

Ugle-Hagan returned to Bulldogs training on Thursday after his second stint away from the club this pre-season, as he continues to work through personal issues.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Lance Franklin extends olive branch to Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

The former No.1 draft pick will remain sidelined indefinitely until he gets a bigger training load behind him and returns to full fitness, with off-field issues having derailed his preparation for the 2025 season.

Since being drafted in 2020, Ugle-Hagan has often drawn comparisons to Franklin for the way he plays and the esteem in which he entered the league.

Both were highly touted, athletic, left-footed forwards who were seen as potential game-breakers.

Franklin more than fulfilled his potential, kicking 1066 goals from 364 games for Hawthorn and Sydney. Ugle-Hagan is a long way from reaching his.

If the phone were to ring with the young Western Bulldogs forward on the line asking for advice, Franklin would be more than happy to give him a word to help him get there.

“No doubt, no doubt. If that was to come, I’d be happy to have a chat to him for sure,” Franklin told Sunrise as he launched NAB Auskick for 2025.

“There’s no doubt it can be hard, being in the spotlight at such a young age. Jamarra’s in that situation now.

“I think the biggest thing for him — I can’t speak too much because I don’t know him personally — is just surrounding yourself with really good people, being open, and being in good communication with the club and the people at the club.

“I think that’s the only way you can get through this.”

The four-time Coleman medallist said it’s important to remember that not every player comes into the system with AFL habits ingrained into them from their first day.

“Everyone matures at different stages; not everyone is going to come in and be like Nick Daicos,” Franklin added.

“I think there is going to be different things happen to different players at certain times, and everyone matures at different stages.

“I think it’s just about communicating, just enjoying it and having fun, train hard — but just make sure you’re speaking to people, I think that’s the most important thing, being open.”

Franklin says Ugle-Hagan needs to start with leaning on his close relationships with family, friends and people at the club to build himself back into the fold.

“Probably just that communication, that’s the biggest thing,” the goalkicking legend said.

“There’s so much pressure on players at such a young age these days, compared to what it was a long time ago.

“A lot of players are under the microscope. I think the biggest thing is to have that support around you where you’re able to have chats with people you trust.

“I think that’s the biggest thing as a young kid, just being open and honest and having those open conversations with people at the footy club or your family or friends, and I think that’s the only way you can get through situations if stuff’s happening.”